We went to Kachemak Bay State Park 2 days ago. This was one of the most awesome experiences we had. The view of Glacier Lake after a moderate hike left us without words. What made it so easy was the water taxi company we used to take us there. They were extremely knowledgeable and we highly recommend them. Their website is: Www.redmountainmarine.com 907/399-8230They are a small outfit but have been in business many years.____________________________________________________________
Get on a boat or in a kayak to explore incredible Kachemak Bay. Visit the coves-Halibut Cove, Sadie. For a real adventure fly into the Was and go rock climbing.
If you can afford the water taxi over ($200 average with tip), you should definitely check out this park. Hikes for all levels and some beautiful views of glaciers. We went on a family hike with our 2 year old on backpack, and were able to squeeze in lunch at the Grewing Lake in under 3 hours.
The only way to get there is by water taxi, and you really feel like you're away from it all when you arrive. Be sure to get a trail map; there are options for day hikes or multiday backpacking. Kayaking or paddleboarding around the many coves and bays is a great way to see seals, sea otters, and porpoises.
Glacier Lake Trail was great for a day in the park; saw moose on the trail. Even despite the ridiculous cost of the water taxi ($75 EACH!), it was one of our most memorable hikes.
We took the Mako Water Taxi over. Mako was the only taxi service running that day due to the choppy waters. The ride reallly was not that bad. We did however, have to be dropped off at the END of the normal trail, since the boat could not land on the beach where the trailhead is. Having to start our hike from this point was a bit more difficult. BUT IT WAS WORTH IT! It is a pretty remote area and this particular day, and with Mako being the only service....there were only 3 others dropped off earlier that day. We passed that group heading back to the pick up point as we headed to the Glacier. We knew we were most likely the only ones in the area for quite some distance. The calm and stillness of the beach at the Glacier was so peaceful. It was a beautiful view. We spent a bit of time there exploring the shoreline and just staring in amazement at the lake and the glacier in front of us.
This was our fourth trip to Alaska. We've previously been to Denali and Misty Fjords each once, and the Kenai peninsula three times primarily for hiking and paddling. Our first day in the park we attempted a hike to Emerald Lake and were surprised at how awful the trail was. Even our water taxi driver kind-of snorted when we asked about the trails, and seem surprised that the visitor's center hadn't warned us that the trails had not been maintained all summer. This was confirmed by our host at a lodge in the Halibut Cove area. Apparently staff at one of the lodges has been maintaining the trail to Grewingk Glacier Lake, but beyond that point it is 4-foot high grass, mud, rocks, roots, and Devil's Club all over the place. We met another couple on the trail who had just spent over a week backpacking in the Brooks Range and were equally surprised and disappointed with this area. So overall, a beautiful spot but we won't be back, which is too bad because Homer is a nice town. We'll stick to our favorites on the Seward Highway side of the peninsula!
Thrilling bear watching trip - some were as close as 15 feet! A mama and cub walked right in to the water and gave us a show of salmon catching action from the Mama! The walk is thru some rough terrain, shallow water and it rained the whole 3 hours so make sure you take water proof and layered clothing.
Mako water taxi took us across the bay[$75pp]. They are great. Told us where the trail was when they dropped us off at the beach and the time and place they would pick us up. All worked perfectly. We had an easy 4 mile hike to Grewingk Glacier lake, 4 couples all mid sixties, We packed in a lunch and some wine and had an hour by ourselves looking at a beautiful glacier.Yes, even a calving. We paid a lot of money to see Mears and Aialik Glaciers and this free one was every bit as nice, and no people.2 mile hike down saddel trail to boat pickup spot was a little up and down but not bad at all. Total hike 5-6 easy miles. On the way to lake we took and hour detour[round trip] to tram that crosses creek which also was fun.All in all it was one great easy relaxing day.
We were very lucky, because we had a nice sunshine, during the complete excursion!. Very nice trip with the simpathetic guy of the water taxi, and relatively light walking trail through the longest path, and then, when we reached the Glacier lake, the views where breathtaking, depite the very cold temperatures just by the lake "beach". Please be ready, and bring strict winter clothes around the Glacier lake. The trial back to the pick up point for the water taxi, through the short path, it was not that easy (tortuous and narrow), but when we reached the rocks at the bay (pick up point), the 20 minutes waiting time, were very worth waiting, cooling down our feed in the Pacific ocean waters... Absolutely recommendable for al publics. We did not see any wildlife, but eated excellent blue berries, during the trail.